Pauling back to form

Following a fine start to the season Ben Pauling had endured a lean four or five weeks towards the end of last year and the beginning of 2018. However, Nicky Henderson's former assistant was back amongst the winners in no uncertain terms at Southwell this afternoon with victories for Two Swallows, Boreham Bill and Global Citizen. As Email Service subscribers are fully aware, Boreham Bill had disappointed at Huntingdon on Boxing day having shown plenty of promise on his hurdling debut at Newbury prior to that. The six year old appreciated the return to a left handed track as he dictated matters from the outset under Daryl Jacob. Kept up to his work late on, he scored comfortably by a couple of lengths. A relentless galloper, he shouldn't have much trouble staying three miles in time. Global Citizen was having his first start for Pauling having joined the yard from Jonjo O'Neill. Featured in Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers in OJA, he proved a class above his rivals in the two miles novice hurdle and readily pulled away to win by eight lengths. The Alkaadem gelding will make a useful chaser in time but can land more prizes over hurdles beforehand.

Just a reminder, the One Jump Ahead Update for the Cheltenham Festival is available to order via the Publications section of the site. It is priced at £10.00.

I have started work on the forthcoming edition of Ahead On The Flat and I am currently arranging interviews with a dozen or so trainers. Next week, I am heading to Newmarket for my annual visit to speak to the likes of William Haggas and Roger Varian etc. I will keep readers informed who I have interviewed on here over the next couple of weeks.